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^ I largely agree. Outside of Stephen Avenue, I think Calgary's downtown is actually far more terrible than ours and lacks any serious potential. It's canyon-like for the most part with virtually no thought given to street level interaction. While it's true that Edmonton lacks a lot of pedestrian friendly areas at this point, I would argue that at least there is far more potential to get there in the future. All those ugly parking lots may actually end up working in Edmonton's favour, because at least there is still an opportunity to build buildings that add to the pedestrian experience, rather than take away from it. I would take Edmonton's downtown over Calgary's any day.

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits" - Einstein

No, because that's irrelevant given the massive scale of differences. Copenhagen's all-time-low is roughly equivalent to our average-nighttime-low this time of year. If we were comparing averages to averages that'd be one thing, but this is extremes to averages. In any given winter you're likely to experience multiple days in Edmonton colder than Copenhagen has EVER experienced in historical weather records.

Northern Europe's climate isn't really analogous to Western Canada.

Giving less of a damn than ever… Can't laugh at the ignorant if you ignore them!

Two new parks built and under construction in the downtown core will provide space for gardeners, outdoor coffee drinkers, even dog walkers.

But despite city council’s long-term push to attract more families downtown, the parks will not have play space for children. Even the public art selected for the new Alex Decoteau Park on 105 Street is adult oriented. It’s too tall to climb.

“It will be eye-catching, iconic … Playable wasn’t one of the criteria,” said Katherine Kerr of the Edmonton Arts Council, who hopes to sign a contract with the artist this week.

In Edmonton, it can seem like planners only think of children when they’re planning playgrounds. Downtown, space for kids just didn’t come up during the public open houses, say planners. But there’s a growing sense that more should be done — not just in parks but at farmers’ markets, in public squares and perhaps even transit centres.

The idea that Edmonton has nice walkable areas downtown is hysterical to me. Have you people been to literally any other city in the damn world that isn't Detroit or Atlanta? Our downtown is relatively an awful space to walk around, and the weather is not an excuse. The number of prohibitively cold days we have in winter is vastly over exaggerated, and Copenhagen seems to manage just fine. Have you even been to Calgary...? Stephen avenue is amazing and unlike anything we have in Edmonton. Downtown Calgary is absolutely beautiful compared to ours and their climate is basically identical.

Having ventured back and forth many times between our Calgary and Edmonton office, I can tell you this is categorically wrong. Calgary's downtown is different with a different vibe for sure (not one I prefer, to be honest), but Stephen Ave is dead in the evenings (walked down it thrice in the last month) and to call it absolutely beautiful compared to ours is way off the mark.

I actually moved from Calgary to Edmonton about 7 years ago, so I'll chime in. I think Calgary's downtown is a lot nicer, but it's a different kind of nice perhaps. My favorite thing about Calgary's downtown is their +15 walkway and how you can connect from one end of downtown to the other without having to step foot outside. This may not appeal to everyone, but I certainly enjoyed it, especially when temperatures are above 30 or below 10.

Green do you have any idea how long a process the development of a project like this can take? I have south facing property in Monaco 2 and would love to see the change in scenery. Few years I presume?

God this will look great to passerbyers on the Valley Line. I really do hope it catalyzes the area too - possibly resurrect Healy at best.

^Right now there is only money to purchase the land. There is no money for planning the park let alone park development.

It will take some efforts on our part to get budget money in place for planning and consultation next step. If we want to see this park in less than 10 years. I'm sure developers, residents, etc would like to see it done in less time than that.

Green do you have any idea how long a process the development of a project like this can take? I have south facing property in Monaco 2 and would love to see the change in scenery. Few years I presume?

God this will look great to passerbyers on the Valley Line. I really do hope it catalyzes the area too - possibly resurrect Healy at best.

Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have seen I believe there actually will be buildings between most of the park and the Valley Line so they will see little, except for 1/2 a block on 105 St which the train will go by in a few seconds.

Is the central park going to get rid of the parking lot just west of Boston Pizza?

The strip of lots along Jasper Ave are going to be incentivized to develop as a result of this park. My only wish is that lots 127 and 128 in Block 6 (Boston Pizza) could have been expropriated. My vision is a slightly diagonally positioned park with planned walkways leading from Jasper Ave to a newly completed and expanded Norquest College. It will require walkable connections for people from things such as LRT, bus stops, campuses, etc in order for this park to be activated in the middle of the dustbowl. And having a grand entrance off of Jasper instead of some Side street would be efficient planning.

The best answer for your question: all the lots directly west of Jasper will not be park space; but 107st will likely be removed in conjunction with LRT construction and all those lots between Fountain Tire and Doans will all be developed.

Developer predicts another Alberta boom by Globe and Mail, February 23, 2017

“By buying up some of the parking lots in the Warehouse District and turning it into a city park, the city’s driving up the value of the surrounding sites and making development of those sites more likely,” he continues. “A really exciting neighbourhood is going to emerge there in the coming years.”

Developer predicts another Alberta boom by Globe and Mail, February 23, 2017

“By buying up some of the parking lots in the Warehouse District and turning it into a city park, the city’s driving up the value of the surrounding sites and making development of those sites more likely,” he continues. “A really exciting neighbourhood is going to emerge there in the coming years.”

Oh, the optimism of condo developers!!! If he could bottle and sell optimism, he would be even richer.

I am not quite so sure if there will be another boom soon, but I do think he has reason to feel good about this project. It is in a good location that is being made even better by the addition of the park. The slow down in the economy seems to have stopped several other proposed projects in the area so I suppose that is less competition for him, which may help his sales as well. If oil prices continue to recover he may be one of the first projects going ahead.

I suppose building in Edmonton and Calgary now which are not pricey like Vancouver or Toronto can be an advantage and also helps diversify his business from those markets which have peaked or may be peaking.

The owners have blocked access to one of the large lots facing 107st across the street from Doans. It has been devoid of vehicles for weeks and I wonder if the city is moving closer to procurement of these lots.

There was no need to change that plaque. We are the City of Champions.

I'm speculating here, but the city may have came to an agreement with the lot owner and due to the nature of expropriation, perhaps they are not allowed to generate revenue themselves after procurement? It would make sense from a legal standpoint that the city not be allowed to create a revenue stream after.

There was no need to change that plaque. We are the City of Champions.